How to make a duplicate application on Xiaomi

The modern rhythm of life often requires multiple accounts on the same messengers or social networks. For owners of Xiaomi smartphones, this is not difficult, since their MIUI operating system originally has a powerful cloning function. You no longer need to look for complex workarounds or risk data security by installing dubious programs from unverified sources.

The built-in mechanism allows you to create a full copy of almost any installed software that will work independently of the original.This means that you can simultaneously receive notifications from both accounts without constantly switching between profiles.

However, the process of activating this feature may vary depending on the shell version and regional firmware, and in this article we will discuss all the available methods, explain the nuances of working with system constraints, and help solve the typical problems that arise when trying to clone popular programs.

The principle of cloning in MIUI

The fundamental basis for creating copies of applications in Redmi and Poco smartphones is a system service that isolates the data of a new instance. When you start the cloning process, the system creates a separate space for storing cache, settings and accounts, which allows the two applications to work in parallel without conflicting with each other.

Unlike third-party cloners, which often require constant permissions and consume a lot of energy, the native solution is optimized by shell developers. It does not just start the second process, but uses virtualization mechanisms at the system level, which allows the second account on WhatsApp or Telegram to work steadily, receiving push notifications even when the main application is closed.

Not all programs support this feature, but it's usually banking applications or enterprise-specific software, where security comes first, and the system automatically detects cloning and either allows or hides the option for a particular package.

⚠️ Cloning heavy games or resource-intensive navigators can lead to accelerated battery discharge and heating of the case, since the actual running will be two full-fledged processes.

It's important to understand the difference between App Cloning and Second Space. The first one creates a copy of a specific program, and the second one is a separate user profile with its own photos, contacts, and settings. The first option is the problem of separating accounts in messengers.

Standard method through system settings

The easiest and most reliable way to activate a duplicate is to use the built-in settings menu, which is available on most current versions of MIUI and HyperOS. The algorithm is extremely simple and does not require root rights or a computer connection.

To start, you need to open the main settings menu of your smartphone. Scroll down to the section that is usually called "Apps." Inside this menu, you need to find "Cloning Apps" item, which in some older versions of firmware may be called "Dual Apps."

Once you log in, you'll see a list of all the programs that the system allows to be cloned, and next to each compatible application, you'll have a switch, and just activate it, and you'll see a copy of the program on your desktop with a yellow or blue tag.

If you don't find the right program on the list, it means that the shell developer is blocking the possibility of cloning it using standard methods, in which case you can try to change the region of the phone or use the alternative methods described below.

• 📱 Open Settings and go to the Application section.
• 📱 Select Cloning Applications (or Dual Applications).
• 📱 Find the right messenger or social network in the list.
• 📱 Activate the switch opposite the program name.

Once activated, the system may suggest creating a shortcut on the desktop or setting up a separate notification sound for the clone, and it is recommended to immediately configure these settings so as not to confuse which account the message came from.

Using the second space as an analogue

If standard cloning doesn't work for the application you want, Second Space comes to the rescue, which is a deeper level of isolation that creates a virtually new smartphone inside your current device, where you can re-install any program and log in to another account.

To activate this feature, go to Settings and find the Second Space section. The system will prompt you to create a new profile protected by a separate password or fingerprint. Once created, you will be in a clean interface where you will need to re-download the necessary applications from Google Play or GetApps.

The main advantage of this method is complete independence. Applications in the second space do not see the data of the first, which is ideal for separating work and personal life, but there is a disadvantage: notifications from the second space can come with a delay if you do not configure the appropriate permissions for background work.

Using the second space will require more free memory, since all applications will be installed twice, which should be considered by owners of models with a small amount of built-in storage.

Third-party solutions for advanced users

In cases where Xiaomi’s built-in tools fail or block the cloning of specific applications, users turn to third-party software. There are many programs in the Play Market that emulate a virtual environment for running copies.

Some of the most popular solutions are Parallel Space, Dual Space, or 2Accounts, which are all virtual containers, so you install one of these launchers, and you run copies of the programs inside of it.

Apps that use Android’s native Work Profile feature, such as Shelter or Island, are particularly noteworthy: they don’t emulate the environment, but use the operating system’s built-in capabilities to share data, the most energy-efficient way among third-party solutions, and they don’t require super-user rights.

⚠️ Caution: Third-party cloners often require broad permissions to access your data and contacts. Use only proven, high-rated solutions and avoid entering sensitive banking information in cloned third-party applications.

Set up notifications and power consumption

Once a take is created, it is critical to properly configure it in the background. MIUI is known for its aggressive energy saving, which can kill the processes of cloned applications, which will only cause messages to arrive after opening the program.

To avoid losing notifications, you need to go to the battery settings, find a cloned application (usually marked with an icon) and select the "No Limits" mode, which will allow the program to actively work in the background and maintain a constant connection to the server.

It is also recommended to enable auto-run for a duplicate. Go to the Security app (green zipper icon), select Permissions and find Auto-Start. Make sure the switch opposite your copy of the app is activated.

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity.
• 🔋 Find the cloned app in the list.
• 🔋 Set the "No Limits" mode».
• 🔋 Check the autorun settings in the “Security” app».

Don’t ignore this step, as by default the system will limit the background activity of the second instance, considering it to be a less important process.

Solving problems and mistakes

Users may encounter a number of difficulties in setting up, such as a cloned application not launching, crashing immediately after opening, or not logging in, often due to version incompatibility or cache conflict.

If the take doesn't work, try clearing its data. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find a clone (usually signed as "Application (2)" or has a tagged logo) and select "Clear Data." This will reset the clone settings to factory settings without touching the original1.

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If the app clone is constantly crashing, try to remove the original app, then remove the clone through settings, restart the phone, and create a clone again before installing the main version.

Another common problem is that it is not possible to clone banking applications, which is done deliberately for security reasons, and in such cases, using a second space or a separate work profile (via Shelter) is the only legal way to run a second client bank.

Also, remember that some messengers, like Telegram, allow you to add multiple accounts within the same app, in which case creating a duplicate can be redundant and only consume the resources of the phone.